Chapter 38: Film Director Kang Ki-hyung

Unlike Hye-yeon, Yuri knew who Chrissy was.

In the past, Chrissy had collaborated multiple times with K-pop singers and even appeared in music videos. 

Yuri said she got to know her then, and ever since, she had been charmed by Chrissy and started listening to her songs.

So that’s why Yuri isn’t scared of her.

Yuri wasn’t just unafraid of Chrissy; she was bold enough to ask to follow each other on SNS.

At Yuri’s behavior, Chrissy, as if it were only natural, followed her back.

Even though they spoke different languages, it was a relief to see them getting along so quickly.

“By the way, you won’t be able to bring the kids to the meeting tomorrow, will you?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

I had brought them along thinking they could do some sightseeing in the U.S., but with so many people crowding around, it didn’t seem possible to take them.

At that, Chrissy smiled brightly and said, “I’ll take care of it for you.”

“Oh, now that you mention it…”

I remembered what Benjamin had said over the phone.

That his girlfriend could help solve the issue.

“How so?” I asked.

“Just ask my manager. She’s half-Korean, so she speaks Korean fluently.”

“Your manager?”

“Yes. I’ll have her come to the hotel tomorrow morning.”

I nodded at her words.

Someone who speaks Korean and is familiar with the U.S. sounded perfect.

“Thank you.”

“No problem. I’m the one who’s more grateful.”

With that, we finished our meal.

***

Loony arrived at the hotel in the morning, accompanied by bodyguards.

Since I had called ahead, I figured the writer would be waiting in the lobby.

At least most of the reporters are gone…

Is that a good thing?

While many reporters had left, there were still quite a few fans lingering around.

Loony quietly entered the hotel lobby.

“Oh, Writer-nim.”

“Loony, you’re here.”

Yongsu Kwon, who had been sitting on a lobby chair, stood up when he saw Loony.

“Are there a lot of people outside?”

“Not too many. The reporters are probably mostly hiding.”

“Sigh.”

There was no way the reporters would back off so easily.

It was their livelihood, so I couldn’t blame them, but I still didn’t want to expose the kids to the public.

“So, we’re heading to Orange TV+ now, right?”

“Yes. It’s a bit of a distance from here. The legal team is already there.”

“Got it. Let’s head out then.”

Unlike yesterday, I woke up a bit earlier today.

With so many people crowding around, I had no choice but to move up the schedule.

I’m exhausted.

Still, it was a relief that I could catch some sleep on the way.

As I stepped outside the hotel with Loony, I saw countless people trying to push through the bodyguards.

“Adele Louis!”

With someone’s shout, a swarm of people rushed forward.

Of course, the bodyguards, who were prepared, kept them at bay.

“Writer-nim! What’s the reason for your visit to the U.S.?”

“Is it true that you’re signing a rights deal with Orange TV+?”

“What are your thoughts on Director André starting auditions for Papa soon?”

“Is it true that Korea’s Director Kihyung Kang is directing Rat Hole?”

“Are the kids you brought with you really just your nieces?”

“Writer-nim! Please, just one comment!”

As expected, the reporters were the most persistent.

I let out a quiet sigh to myself and kept walking.

“Please sign this! Adele Louis, please sign it!”

“I’ve been waiting since early this morning! Please sign!”

“Please, I’m a huge fan! Sign it!”

I couldn’t ignore these people.

The reporters were one thing, but these were fans who had endured the cold morning out of pure devotion.

I quietly took a book that a fan held out.

“What’s your name?”

“It’s Jay! Thank you, Writer-nim!”

The book looked worn, as if it had been read countless times.

After signing it and handing it back, the young man named Jay smiled as if he had the whole world.

“Writer-nim, uh…”

“I know. I’ll sign a few more before we go.”

I wanted to sign for everyone here, but that wasn’t possible.

I focused on signing the most worn-out books among those the fans held out.

“Let’s go now.”

“Alright.”

After signing for about five people, Loony, unable to wait any longer, urged me to move.

I signed one last book for a middle-aged woman before following Loony to the car.

“Phew…”

Only after getting into the car could I let out a sigh of relief.

The crowd was bigger than expected, and even with bodyguards, I felt a bit intimidated.

“Good work, Writer-nim.”

“Hardly.”

The car started moving.

Loony handed me a coffee he had bought from a nearby takeout café.

“Here, Writer-nim.”

“Thank you.”

Unlike in Canada, the weather in LA was warm, so he had gotten me an iced Americano.

I took a quiet sip of the coffee.

“By the way, are your kids staying at the hotel?”

“No, Chrissy’s manager said she’d come by in about an hour. I asked her to take them sightseeing.”

“Oh, that’s great.”

I hadn’t met Chrissy’s manager, but judging by Chrissy’s personality from yesterday, I doubted she’d hire just anyone.

Still, I couldn’t shake a slight unease, so I told them to call me immediately if anything went wrong.

I gave Hye-yeon my credit card, so they should have fun on their own.

Since the cost of living in the U.S. is high, I handed Hye-yeon my credit card and told her to enjoy herself.

I trusted that Hye-yeon would use it responsibly.

“By the way, Writer-nim, are you planning to sign with Orange TV+?”

“Well, I’m curious to see what they’ll offer.”

To be honest, Orange TV+ had made a good offer.

As one of the world’s top electronics companies, they didn’t seem to lack in production budget.

But there was one thing that bothered me.

They’re the least popular among OTT platforms.

While other OTT platforms fought to stay at the top, Orange TV+ was always out of the rankings.

They lacked in the number of works, writers, and directors.

Money alone doesn’t make a good production.

There were plenty of works that flopped despite huge budgets.

Even films with stories hailed as masterpieces often failed, so I wanted to hear their vision before deciding.

“Is Director Kang Ki-hyung at the meeting too?”

“Yes, he is.”

“Hmm…”

I wasn’t particularly fond of talking to directors.

Director André was a bit eccentric, but in general, I hadn’t had great experiences conversing with directors.

Artists just don’t mix easily.

Every director had their own stubbornness and personality.

Differences in how they viewed a work always caused friction.

Still, I should talk to him.

I was personally curious.

I had spoken with many film directors, but Kang Ki-hyung was the first Korean director I’d meet.

“I’m going to catch a quick nap.”

“Alright. Rest well.”

And so, the car kept moving.

***

Korea’s film director Kang Ki-hyung.

He was a master born in a country that was once culturally overlooked.

Now, Korea is recognized as a cultural powerhouse, but in the past, many didn’t even know where it was.

Born in such a Korea, Kang Ki-hyung began studying film in the U.S. during his college years and later created several masterpieces in Korea.

His debut film, Daehangeona, drew six million viewers, and over time, Disaster and Cheonghwa each reached ten million.

For Kang Ki-hyung, who had become a creator of masterpieces, there was one interesting hobby.

This work… it’s not great.

Around Kang Ki-hyung were countless books—manga, fairy tales, novels, and more.

From old books to science comics that kids might read.

Language didn’t matter; his surroundings were overflowing with books.

“Hey, hyung, are you reading in the car again?”

“Yeah.”

“Then I’ll have to clean up again. Ugh… I told you to do it at the hotel.”

“What can I do? I’m bored.”

“Sigh… Doesn’t it make you carsick? You’re meeting Adele Louis soon.”

Kang Ki-hyung put down the book he was reading and let out a small chuckle.

“Nope. You think this is my first time?”

“Well, true…”

The reason Kang Ki-hyung read such a variety of books was because of his hobby.

Adele Louis, huh… No matter how you interpret that writer’s books, they always make great visuals.

No matter what book he read, he always visualized it as a film in his mind.

Whether it was interesting or not.

Once turned into a film, the public’s reception could change.

He would adapt the book’s content in his mind, creating countless variations, making a film that no one else could see.

That was Kang Ki-hyung’s hobby.

So interesting. That writer’s books.

When he first encountered Adele Louis, he was amazed.

No matter how he interpreted or adapted them, they always turned into compelling stories.

Just to be sure, he checked the original versions, wondering if the Korean translations were off, but the originals sparked even more imagination.

“We’re here.”

“Alright.”

As they parked at Orange TV+, Director Kang Ki-hyung stretched and got out of the car.

“Ugh…”

Crack!

The sound of his joints popping echoed.

Perhaps because he was now in his 50s, his body didn’t move as it used to.

“Phew… It’s a bit cooler now.”

“Hyung, are you heading up right away?”

“Might as well.”

There was still some time, but weren’t Koreans known for being quick?

Kang Ki-hyung wanted to meet Adele Louis, who had rejected him, as soon as possible.

“You go grab a coffee at a nearby café.”

“Yes!”

Given the unexpected free time, his manager disappeared with a smile.

Ring ring ring!

As soon as the manager left, his phone suddenly rang.

Looking at it, he saw it was a call from Orange TV+.

“Hello.”

“Hello, Director. Have you almost arrived?”

“I’m here. In the parking lot.”

“That’s great. Adele Louis arrived an hour early.”

An hour early?

“Got it. I’ll head up soon.”

He hung up the phone.

Staring blankly at it, Director Kang Ki-hyung let out a small laugh.

Did he want to meet me that badly?

He knew that wasn’t the case.

If Adele Louis had wanted to meet him, he would’ve contacted him when he inquired about the rights to Rat Hole or other works.

Alright… Shall we go?

With the thought of meeting the creator of the works that excited him, a smile never left Kang Ki-hyung’s face.